Party Vegan: Fabulous, Fun Food for Every Occasion Paperback – September 17, 2010

I bought this book in my first year of being vegan, and it's served me well over the years. It was an absolute life-saver when I first got it, because I never really knew what to make for parties or special occasions. Robin Robertson really lays a good foundation for vegan entertaining in this book, and virtually all of the recipes that I've tried have been excellent. There is a lot of creativity in this book, and a lot of good information on party planning and set up. This book was one of the first vegan entertaining books I can remember - there are more out there now - and it really opened a door for what one could do, it was really revolutionary, and it's full of inspiration.Most of the recipes are quick and easy to prepare. The appetizers are particularly simple. Some recipes like the Porcini stuffed seitan roast, or the seitan roulades are more time consuming, but worth the trouble if you're looking to impress. Most recipes use common pantry-friendly ingredients but some of the `fancier' appetizer or dessert recipes may call for certain things - like vegan cheese - that you may not have on hand. In each case, the recipes are clearly written, with easy to follow instructions which I appreciate.Some draw-backs of the book are that there is no nutritional information provided. Some people really care about this, others - like me - not so much. Some people have also complained about the set up of the book. The book is divided into chapters such as "Halloween" "Christmas" "Pot-Luck" etc... and gives you a grouping of recipes to serve at each gathering. Usually the recipes consist of an appetizer or two, a side or two, a main course, and a dessert. Personally I think the set up of the book is neat, and original, and I don't mind that there isn't a large table of contents at the beginning of the book. This book does however have a large index in the back, that lists each recipe and what page it can be found on. It also tells you which recipes can be made in advance, which are quick and easy, and so on. This is particularly helpful when trying to plan a party.My only real complaint with this book is that there are no pictures. I've come to understand that this is the norm for Robin Robertson, for whatever reason her books NEVER have pictures, and while I often find this to be a huge disappointment and a discouraging factor I can overlook it in the case of this book. Robertson's recipes in this book are so good, that it would be silly to ignore the book just because it lacks photography.All in all I think this is a really wonderful little book. It's helped me through many holiday gatherings and everything I've made has not only impressed my husband and I but has won over even my most die-hard omni friends. With "Party Vegan" I never have to worry about what to bring to my next gathering or what to serve my guests. I just wish I had more time to try all of the recipes, but these are the ones I've tried so far, and what I thought of them.Artichoke Tapenade - Loved itSun-dried Tomato and Green Olive Biscotti - Loved itOrange Kissed Chocolate Tiramisu - Pretty goodSushi Rice Balls - Loved itEveryone's Favorite Ice Cream Cake - Loved itPan-Fried Sesame Noodles and Broccoli - Loved itSzechwan Green Beans and Shallots - Loved it`Finger Lickin' Tempeh Fingers - LOVED IT! - Favorite!Chickpea Artichoke Bites with Rosemary Aioli - Loved itRosemary Aioli - Loved itRed Bliss Potato and Fennel Soup - Loved itSauteed Rainbow Chard with Balsamic Drizzle - Loved itChocolate Cherry Cheesecake - Loved itWhiskey and Soda Bread - Pretty goodBlack Olive Tapenade with Carrots and Orange Bell Pepper Strips - Loved itBlack Bean and Butternut Chili - Loved it - FavoriteSavory Pumpkin Muffins with Black Sesame Seeds - Loved It - Favorite!Black Rice Salad - Loved itOrange-Carrot Cake with Dark Chocolate Icing - Loved itPan Gravy - Love it - a go-to easy gravy recipe for meCranberry Apple Relish - Pretty goodPecan Pumpkin Pie - Pretty goodPorcini Stuffed Seitan with Wild Mushroom Sauce - Pretty goodHerb Mashed Potatoes - Loved itSpinach Phyllo Cigars with Walnuts and Figs - Loved itArtichoke Stuffed Mushrooms - Loved itTruffled White Bean Hummus - pretty goodPS: The book is worth the cost for the "Finger Lickin" Tempeh Fingers recipe alone. No lie. I actually had the opportunity to try this dish at a vegan friends house, and the minute I got back home I bought this book just on the deliciousness of that recipe. It is by far my favorite, in the book, and one of my favorite ways to eat tempeh. If you miss BBQ this is the recipe for you!

I like photos in cookbooks and this one doesn't have as many as I would like to see. Some unique recipes to try though for when having a party with Vegan guests (there are 4 in my family)

love the recipes I've used thus far. there's a bit too much discussion about what comes before the food prep in my opinion. It may be that I've been preparing food for a long time (I'm a senior citizen), so i don't need quite so much explanation.

Let this be the book you go to when you’re busy with life and need someone to help you pull together a party without having to think too hard about it. Having this book is as close to having Robin Robertson in person in your home. This book simplifies the process of preparing for an event or holiday meal. It provides you a review of party planning, and assists you in deciding which recipes you’ll choose and even provides activity ideas to go along with the recipes. You can switch out recipes too, and Robin Robertson even helps with that!Complete menus are provided for “anytime gatherings” that include: a basic dinner party, a large crowd gathering, picnic, potluck, just desserts, child’s birthday, teen party, tapas gathering, Chinese New Year, and curry for everyone! In addition you get a line up of the major holidays! I love this book!

You really can't go wrong with a cookbook by Robin Robertson and that is quite true of Party Vegan. As I am preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas parties and social events, this book is on full time duty. In fact, I go to it year around for every sort of party and get together and even for family dinners and snacks.Robin takes you step-by-step in planning your menu and gathering what you need. She includes wonderful menus and exiting ideas that make party planning a snap.Then- here come the recipes! Spanish Orange Salad, Southern Fried Seitan (who needs fried chicken?), Pastry-Wrapped Bananas Foster, Antipasto Skewers, Pesto-Stuffed Baby Potatoes, Spicy-Smoky BBQ Ribz, Seitan Buffalo Wingz, Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake- and that is just a tiny sampling of the culinary delights awaiting you between the covers of this book. If you like sharing great food with your family and friends and you like it convenient and easy-to-make, this is the book for you.

The recipes are great, but the layout of the book is terrible.Major issues:1. Recipes are not listed in table of contents. Though they are listed in the back by category (appetizer, dessert, etc.), the list does not include page numbers.2. It is divided into individual party ideas with very few recipes per party.3. No pictures (always a downside nowadays with cookbooks)I've seen this a number of times with Robin Robertson. She had great recipes, but her publisher just makes terrible decisions on how to make her cookbooks marketable. I returned this book because the layout was so terrible, I knew I would never use it.

I love this book! The author has created some really creative and delicious recipes for themed menus for all sorts of parties, from Chinese New Year to Halloween, and everything in between. The recipes are great for these events, or to use for any other time of year. It also includes some really clever themed menus for "anytime" parties, like a child's birthday party, picnic, and dessert night. I'm really enjoying cooking my way through this book and showing off vegan party food to our friends. There are excellent ideas for party planning and food preparation. The menus/recipe collections are comprehensive, and even include bonus recipes for substitutions so you can have more than one choice for the dishes on the party menu. This book is unique, and deserves a spot on your shelf!

I struggle with recipe books that don't have pictures.

The book was really good. Great ideas with good results. The chocolate and orange tiramisu was a big hit and the suggested menus were really helpful and just what I was looking for. The reason I didn't give it a 4 is because I bought it was the kindle version and really wish I have chosen the hard copy but my impatience to receive it won over. Note to self, buy the real cookery book in the future as it makes flicking and enjoying the experience greater.

Diese Buch habe ich mir gekauft um ein paar neue Anregungen für das Weihnachtsessen zu bekommen und um ein paar neue Rezepte für Partys kennenzulernen. In diesem Buch findet man für jede Menge verschiedener Anlässe tolle und wirklich leckere Rezepte. Besonders die Cranberrysoße ist einfach unglaublich lecker. Wir werden sie dieses Jahr wieder für Thanksgiving machen wenn unsere Familie aus Amerika kommt. Außerdem sind die Rezepte wirklich machbar und nich unnötig kompliziert. Auch Anfänger werden dabei ihre Freude haben. Außerdem sind auch viele Vorschläge für FIngerfood und Buffets darin. Das fehlt meiner Meinung oft in veganen Kochbüchern. Den einen Stern ziehe ich ab da es in diesem Buch keine Bilder gibt und das finde ich sehr schade da Bilder oftmals in Kochbüchern erst den richtigen Anreiz geben das Rezept auszuprobieren. Dennoch kann ich das Buch uneingeschränkt weiterempfehlen!

My daughter is vegan, and hadn't seen this book before, so it was a perfect present for her this year.

Ein wirklich schönes Buch auch für alte Hasen der veganen Küche einziger Minuspunkt es sind zu wenig Bilder drin.Gut umzusetzen in verschiedenen Gruppen und Anlässen